In 2011, the Sister Wives Blog started out as a place to talk about the TLC reality show "Sister Wives", Kody Brown and his wives Christine, Robyn, Meri and Janelle. Today we not only discuss the show, we discuss Polygamy in our society, and the public perceptions of the Mormon Religion. We discuss "Polygamy USA" and will be covering "My 5 Wives."
This blog is geared towards the adult reader, so please, no one under the age of 18 years. Thank you!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Review: S05Ep05 Mourning the Loss and S05Ep06 Confronting Failure

All right, let's just get the Drake situation out in the open. What is obvious to me is that Kody took this sad event as an opportunity, once again, to feed his insatiable need to be THE CENTER of attention by showcasing his return to Utah for the first time. Come on, digging the grave while the dog is walking around, wagging his tail? And that oh so dramatic 'breakdown' ? When Kody says "This is so depressing" all I can do is scream at my poor TV, Puuuulllleeeezzzze!!!!!!!

Kody wasn't suffering from the emotion of digging a grave - he was suffering from the effort of doing W.O.R.K. And don't be fooled when Kody 'cries' about not being able to say goodbye to his home in Lehi. HE STILL OWNS THE HOUSE IN LEHI... and left Lehi because he always wanted to live in Las Vegas. Kody has got to be the WORST actor on the face of this planet.

Poor Trainer Bill. He has officially left the building and Trainer Sean has stepped in as his replacement. Janelle has finally admitted to herself that she's an emotional and stress eater, and how a 10 pound weight loss in 6 months just doesn't cut it. She has also come to the realization that maybe it was better to exercise on her own rather than with her sister wives. With a set goal of losing 100 pounds (and her trusty green kool-aid to keep her hydrated), she now exercises in the early morning, when she knows her sister wives are still sleeping.

Ah the joys of plural marriage. It just keeps getting better and better!

So what's happening on those McMansions? Kody and his Kodettes go to Mona the real estate lady's office to finalize those options, like which cheap looking granite (out of only THREE cheap looking choices) for the counter tops, and that Meri still hasn't made all her decisions, but is still over budget on just her first page of options.

It's obvious Meri may be mourning the loss of her ever loving mind! Finally, FINALLY, the options are all worked out, but as they leave the office, Kody says something that's really puzzling. He said that Mona the real estate lady reminded him that they still need to maintain the little good credit they have, and continue to clean up their crappy credit " as [they] move forward for the final purchase."

Say WHUT???? Did Kody just say move forward for the FINAL PURCHASE? I thought those McMansions were a done deal! So maybe, Christine wasn't lying after all, and her lips were indeed loose when she said they didn't get the houses?

Despite all of this ominous foreshadowing, we are still shown the ground breaking of the McMansions...well, Christine's McMansion. They even celebrated with some red colored bubbly drink. But back on the couch, Kody explained that " We have a bunch of work to do, from the time that we make a contract to purchase the homes til where we are actually purchasing them." When Meri tried to clarify by saying "...so really we could go through this whole process of looking at the homes and picking everything out and getting so excited and something could happen and we could not be ..." Kody didn't let her finish, saying instead "...we could lose it altogether! This is not a guarantee!"

Holy Toledo! Do the producers think this Did They or Didn't They tactic is going to sit well with the viewers? Is there a reason why the producers think it's necessary, at this late date, to still string the audience along for the ride? Earth to Figure 8: We want to see the Browns move in those McMansions they can't afford! WE WANT IT!!

Seriously, I think we (the audience) are being set up for the return of the Browns to their Lehi home. But here's a suggestion...how about the Browns relocating to four double wides in the Nevada desert first? Are you listening, Figure 8?

While the Browns confront the possibility of their McMansions going busterino, Robyn has her own problems. Yes, I am talking about that sorry launch of My Sister Wife's Closet!

But business before pleasure. Yes, I'm talking about Mykelti's dream of being a fashion designer. Was it just me or did Mykelti not look too excited about meeting a real fashion designer? I don't know, when I was Mykelti's age I wanted to be a designer too. I had notebooks upon notebooks of designs for dresses and shoes and hairstyles. But I'll tell you one thing, if I met a real life designer (Mary Quant was my idol) I would at least act somewhat excited about it. Maybe the fact that Kody took over the segment had something to do with it. It just didn't feel - right.

Frankly, there was no need to have Kody present, period. Kody, in his personality, chooses - no he DEMANDS to be the center of attention, even if it's a 5 minute segment about his teen daughter's aspirations to be a fashion designer. Note to Figure 8: This could have been a 30 minute show about Mykelti working with this avant-garde fashion designer. That would have been interesting. Kody, in his personality, trying hard not to ogle a fashion model getting into a garment was not interesting. It was weird.

At least Mykelti's mom Christine had something to cheer about. In confronting her failure, she finally succeeded in passing her real estate exam. So even though Kody was not very supportive of her, it was wonderful to see her smile while saying " I passed!" to her family. Equally delicious was her dig at Robyn, Meri and Kody when she mentioned how wonderful it will feel when she brings home her first commission check that she will use to pay off a family debt (most likely either Robyn's old Victoria Secret bill or Meri's cost overruns on her McMansion options).

And now, for what you have been waiting so patiently to read - the launch of My Sister Wife's Closet!

This little trinket will set your credit card back about $300.00 !! It's embarrassing to hear Kody's half brain explanation for the outrageous pricing. "In my head..." he begins, "our pieces I wanted to be somewhat iconic in the sense that they're different, they're unique to us, and they're not cheap." In other words, hold onto your wallets, Kody's gonna RIP YOU OFF!

It's so funny to read on the Facebook pages how some fans actually think the jewelry is not overpriced. In fact, one fan said she was glad the prices were high because you get what you pay for.

Honey, I have another saying for you, it's "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Meri and Kody watching the visitor numbers going up up up!

Janelle not looking very optimistic: 300 visitors but no orders !

Kody's reaction to a fan's tweet about how expensive the jewelry is

Kody pondering how 28 sales will pay the mortgage for 4 McMansions

MSWC is overpriced junk. There, I said it. If Kody thinks this vanity venture of Robyn's is going to help finance those 4 overpriced McMansions, he is seriously deluded. Even Meri appears to be drinking the same Kody delusion cocktail when she arrogantly says " This is not discount jewelry." Hey Meri, maybe you should research how a discount jewelry business works and makes a profit before snubbing your nose at them.

And Robyn, perhaps taking some classes on running a business would help you and your little vanity venture. As it is, having your website go down every time the show mentions MSWC is rotten for sales. And don't turn to your hubby Kody for advice: He was a failure in business - which is not surprising since he thinks price gouging makes good business sense. Next time instead of spending money for an expensive computer and gun for Kody, maybe invest in a better server for your website that can handle the traffic !!

I've been silently reading for months. The jewelry is cheap looking & ugly. Over priced is an extra insult. Robyn is bad jobbing! You all need jobs. tlc may cancel your stupid show and then you have no income and 17 kids. The show use to be about your wives...now it's about you (Kool-Aid Kody) and your stupid McMansinos you can't afford, how horribly you treat two of your wives, will or won't Meri (is she a Who from Whoville) have another baby or use Robyn's vagino to house a McOffspring?

But no one is commenting on the best part of the website--coming soon--clothing and accessories. Can you imagine, we can all dress with the same style and fashion sense the four of them display. Personally, I can't wait, because I live in an area that has no Walmart.....

I've gained weight recently but I'm pretty sure I could stuff myself into a T shirt two sizes too small. And then the tank top would accent my mid-section. I hope the shipping isn't too costly because I wan't lots.

I find it interesting that they all have the Brown name (on the merchandising website, etc) - but this can't legally be correct since KoKoNut is only legally married to Meri. I'm sure the children have the Brown name legally - but the three mistresses probably have their own legal names on all the many welfare and Medicaid forms they filled out before TLC picked them up.

"I've gained weight recently but I'm pretty sure I could stuff myself into a T shirt two sizes too small. And then the tank top would accent my mid-section. I hope the shipping isn't too costly because I wan't lots."

"I've been silently reading for months. The jewelry is cheap looking & ugly. Over priced is an extra insult. "

You got that right!!! Why the heck would anyone buy it? The show won't last forever.

Robyn said something about it being sterling silver. Really? So what?! It should still be good design. Someone could make a replica of a dog turd in sterling silver. It doesn't mean everyone will race out to buy it just because it's silver.

I have read this blog for a long time & never commented, but this comment about the tiny angry face on his ring---oh my goodness!!! I laughed so hard at this one! yes! yes it does look exactly like that!!

I mentioned on the other thread that i'm sure that's that claddagh ring they had made for him that he's NEVER once worn before. I just figured he decided to wear it for the awesome website launch episode. In the same post, I also noted how NONE of the wives were wearing ANY of the jewelry they were officially touting on national TV. ANOTHER massive fail at a marketing 101 given. there's no hope for the delusional arrogance of these pitiful fools.

I have watched this show since inception and been a faithful fan. After tonight, I don't think that I will be back. Putting down the family's dog does not make an episode. Euthanasia aka "mercy killing" is used when the animal is truly suffering. Drake did not appear to be suffering to a degree which warranted his early demise.

He walked fine, he wagged his tail and showed affection. All older dogs have pain in their joints and hips. You get them on rimadyl or other pain killer and that helps them tremendously. Both my dogs are 12 years old and have similar problems. All older dogs have accidents. You can confine them to a kitchen or area where clean-up is easy. Obviously we do not have all the facts but from what we saw, made me sick really. Faithful companion of 12 years. Digging a grave for a dog who you can see walking and wagging his tail in the background. Seriously???

I agree. It was clear the dog hadn't seen a vet in a long time--if ever. Poor thing, he was still responsive and ambulatory. They didn't even wait for the vet's opinion, they were burying him before the guy even showed up. And we hadn't seen this dog once in all the years this show has been on the air. That was the final straw for me, killing a dog who just needed some pain meds.

KatyK said: "Drake did not appear to be suffering to a degree which warranted his early demise."

Please allow me to beg to differ on your opinion of Drakes veterinary care and euthanasia. I have volunteered in animal shelters, I have been a pet owner my entire life, and I have been fostering pets for years. I was one sememster away from getting my Associates of Science in Veterinary Technician. I had a 3.89 average out of a possible 4.0 gpa. I could handle surgeries, tick infestations, maggot infested wounds, and every other thing that most people cringe from.Those things were not my deterrent. I left the program, because I realized after doing my first clinical practicum that I could not deal with the euthanasias, especially when the owners were present. Drake was having soiling messes and noticeable labored breathing while he was in a resting position. Those are both indications of of kidney failure. Especially for dog that age, labored breathing is a sign of congestive heart failure probably due to kidney failure. I am certain the vet was very thorough. The vet probably looked at Drake's gums, tongue, and paws. Any sign of cyanosis (low blood oxygen) would also be indicative of heart/kidney failure. I'm sure this vet did both the SMAC and the CBC tests. No vet would recommend euthanasia for a dog who was not in distress or pain. Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and Vet Assistants take an oath much like a human doctor does. There are also state and federal laws that Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and Vet Assistants MUST abide by and honor.

I agree. Having recently lost my 15 year old yellow Lab I had a very hard time with this one. Medication could have helped the dog ...both for arthritis and incontinence. They just didn't seem to want to be bothered. Once the dog began to require more care they just got rid of him. Meri probably didn't want to deal with him messing up her perfect little house. It was so difficult to watch Kody digging a grave with the poor dog walking around in the background. They decided to put him down before they even left Vegas. The whole thing was just for show but it backfired on them. Don't they even see how they look to other people.

She probably forgot to let the dog out, I think she had him killed because she doesn't want him in the new house near her wet bar! I'm done watching this show, These self centered people make me sick. The dog episode was the last for me, That was cruel!

I know several vets both in Real Life and online. It is NOT a cake job.

Actually I do know vets who do euthanasia on healthy animals - mostly horses - when there is no other option. There is at least one euthanasia clinic in California. I know it sounds cruel but its sometimes the better option if no home is available and they would slowly starve to death.

My personal objection to this is the way the show USED the life of Drake as merely a bit of drama in the Kody Show. It is obvious to me that when they left Lehi, Drake remained behind in the care of Meri's sister. Then for DRAMATIC purposes - Kody/Meri decided to put the poor (according to the vet) suffering dog through a 5 hour road trip to LV, have him sleep on a thin blanket on Meri's hard floor, then trucked BACK to Lehi and PTS for ratings.

We don't see the kids going to the doctor, why would they take the dog to one?

My Megan (kitty) is 12-13 years old and sees a vet annually. Just a well visit to make sure she's happy and healthy. I love her and its my duty as her owner to make sure she has a good life. Drake deserved nothing less. IMO

New Shoes - i've been disagreeing w/the naysayers here all along about the need to put the doggie down. I agree 100% it shouldn't have been televised and made Meri/Mariah lose credibility for their public show of grieving instead of wanting to do it privately like should have respectfully been done.

I'm not a fan of keeping an animal alive for quantity of life vs. quality. I find that to be about me instead of the true welfare of the animal. So THANK YOU for weighing in with your own expert opinion. REFRESHING after so many posts in the other direction here.

this is a lame duck show, it's on it's way out. I highly doubt it will be on after this season, the ratings are way down from what they were. Has anyone else noticed that Meri has gained a lot of weight since the show began?

Meri has definitely gained a lot of weight. However, she continues to wear the same size she did before she gained the weight. Apparantly, Kody's modesty rules only apply to being covered, not wearing skin tight clothes.

It's amazing that four equally clueless, naive and myopic people ended up in the same relationship.

What's crazy is that even upper middle class families couldn't justify the cost of buying and running four separate houses. It's just too expensive. And yet we're supposed to believe that this family, who's members have all individually filed for bankruptcy, is going to buy 2 million dollars worth of real estate?! If their financial situation is as it appears, they must have nothing in savings. Their kids will probably end up supporting them when they are older. They are going to be so sorry they wasted their TLC money in a few years when they have faded into obscurity.

According to Robyn, just a few short years ago she was living in abject poverty in a trailer, and now she's turning up her nose at vaulted ceilings?! And Meri, with one adult daughter and no discernable income (besides a very temporary TLC paycheque), just has to have a wet bar and five bedrooms?! This is ridiculous. If the wives want their own homes they need to get real jobs. Running a small start-up online jewellery business doesn't count. That's something people do in their spare time until they make enough to support themselves.

I can't help but feel that in a few years they will be back in Lehi with nothing to show for their years as reality stars. All the money will have been whittled away by by starting an endless stream of ill-fated businesses. Their price point strategy for My Sister Wives Closet shows they don't know what they are doing. Their target market doesn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on their jewellery. Something cheap would have sold so much better. People who buy expensive jewellery aren't going to buy it from the Brown family... They are not exactly stylish, and I doubt the Sister Wives demographic is wealthy.

Sorry to sound harsh, but their financial and business decisions just seem so foolish and myopic.

Great recap! Your snark is to be greatly admired! I can not STAND him continually bringing up (along with the flashback "escape" footage, him dropping the bomb on the kids WHILE BEING FILMED, that they were moving IN THREE DAYS) how he is so fearful of returning to Utah, how they HAD TO HAD TO leave! UGH!! The cat is out of the bag douche! Don't bring it up at all!! You know? like when something is posted on your fb or someone twitters you and you don't want the REAL truth to come out? You just DELETE? STOP with the fake persecution. So sick of it!

The first time I looked at MSWC's website, it took some thinking to figure out that the one charm represented two hands coming together to form a heart. At first I thought it was something from "A Nightmare Before Christmas"; then I thought it represented two hands coming together to choke someone. Come to think of it, I may have been right on both parts.

With each passing episode, the show is less about the family and more about Grody and his wants/needs/behavior. This is like Khate Gosselin, Part II. I only hope that he becomes as obscure as she has - although she continues to try to remain a "celebrity," her 15 minutes finally ended. Let's hope it ends for Grody sooner rather than later.

Hi AzChristian: I agree with you that the hands on the Brown's jewelry look skeletal. I really hope that viewers know that if they like the Claddagh design, there are plenty of places where one can order it much less expensively, and with better workmanship. You see them quite a bit at Ren Faires, St. Patrick's Day events and similar festivals. Heck, this website has a ring for just $9.99.

I bought my daughter a sterling claddagh ring with a mystic topaz heart for 13.99 on Amazon and it is beautiful... Oh right.... um STERLING is EXPENSIVE... LOL and tarnishes. I found antibacterial dish soap cleans them up quickly stay away from bleach though because it will pock it. Oh no, maybe Meri has been using bleach in her daily skin care regimen. You know maybe that is not orange tan cream but, skin abrasion and peels? Good for her if it is. She is too young to look so derned old.

This may sound stupid but I could have sworn I read somewhere the charges/ivestigation were all dismissed in Utah and that they still own the house in Utah....why not just move back there.... Oooohhhh wait is it because the king himself wanted to live near Vegas and finally found his excuse....

Hi Anonymous: I think there's a possibility that the Browns realize that they've been involved in illegal activity, such as welfare, tax or bankruptcy fraud, and aren't sure if the polygamy investigation uncovered it. If they return to Utah and keep flaunting themselves, the prosecutor might decide to uncover some info that was previously overlooked or unknown.

Remember the polygamist Tom Green? He was warned repeatedly by authorities to stop flaunting his polygamy on television, yet he continued, and the authorities eventually charged him with defrauding the welfare system ("criminal non-support") and statutory rape. Chances are, Utah knew about both issues long before they nailed him in 2001-2002. He was making the rounds on talk shows in the early 1990s and it was obvious then that his wives were younger than he claimed, and their financial status was questionable.

The local sheriff investigation is over, and the AG announced the state will not prosecute the Browns. Case Closed. Thinking the Browns may be up for charges if they return to Utah and stay public or that Kody Brown is anything similar to Tom Greene is just wishful thinking.

The only lawsuit that should be heating up in January are the Browns that they filed. That should be interesting.

Kody....liar, liar, pants on fire. That was not your first trip back to Utah. You have been back here 4 times prior to that. The timing for the 'burial trip' also happened to coincide with the press conference that he and his attorney had announcing that they were going ahead with their lawsuit against the State of Utah.

Ok. Finally I need to comment. I LOVED this show when it started! I didn't understand it but it fascinated me. One great big family. But it's obvious money has ruined these people. Now it is four sick families fighting over one pathetic man. I watch just to see who will wake up first.(I'm betting on Janelle.). No jewelry for me. Can't wait to see what those clothes in their closet will look like!

I don't think it's money that's the problem. It has made some things worse, but mainly it's just highlighted the already existing problems. When they started out, the Browns were on a crusade to promote polygamy and convert us all to its decriminalization/legalization, but it was too difficult to maintain the illusion of happiness and contentment of a wife and her husband's three girlfriends sharing one man and financial resources. (Not to mention the obvious fact that Kotex is highly successful at impregnating women but has no clue what it means to be a real father.) And don't kid yourselves about the Dargers, give it time and it will become clear that their brand of polygamy is just as riddled with problems.

yep - I can't stand the Browns and I agree the Darger's true colors will not fare any better once fully exposed. Polygamy is still polygamy. Dysfunctional as hell. These women have had to "turn it off" "stuff it" and "keep sweet" since their childhood brainwashing of how "normal" and "spiritual" and "joyous" polygamy is. Polygamy seems to create huge passive/aggressive mindsets to make it work for yourself as much as you humanly can.

I love this blog. I have read it for some time, but this is my first post. I can't stop watching this train wreck family. At the head you have narcissist Kody with the serial killer eyes; next comes Meri who is determined to get her share and more without contributing a dime to the household. Let's not forget sweet, bovine Christine who is really nice but dumber than a bag of hammers. Next up is Robin who is trailer trash and who IMHO destroyed the Brown family. She is obviously the tart of the family and the one who Kody can't keep his hands off of. Finally we have Janelle, who for the life of me, I can't figure out why in the hell she is still tied to this loser family. She was the only one who ever had a decent job and quite frankly the only one I would ever trust to make it on her own.

The McMansions are going to be their undoing. They have no money to pay for these and quite frankly the writing is on the wall that the show will be over. It was a huge mistake bringing the Dargers on the show. They are an interesting family. Well-organized self sufficient, affectionate, grounded and telegenic. In short, everything the Brown's aren't. I have a hunch the Brown's will be out and the Dargers in.

Speaking as a jewelry collector and designer, the jewelry is over-priced dreck. What they failed to understand is that the overwhelming majority of their fan-base is a value-conscious shopper. They needed to gear their line to their target audience. They didn't and it too along with all their other schemes will fail. Not only did they not do their research, they seem to sneer and turn their noses up at their target buyer. Their stuff should be priced in the 20-50 range, which would be more expensive than wal-mart or target, but make their shoppers feel they were getting value and and something a little special. As I said, over-priced, poorly designed dreck. No surprise since Robin is the face behind the brand.

Lastly, my pet peeve with this family is in one segment they whine they have no money, in the next they are adamant they are going to have a wet bar( why would a non-drinking Mormon with one kid need a wet bar plus five bedrooms). It isn't like these people entertain. Also, why should they split the budget equally. Why shouldn't those with six kids get more budget. It should be about the needs of the kids, not Kody and his sheepettes. I love how they get approved for the loans in one segment and five minutes later Kody is talking about having more kids. Jeez he doesn't provide for the kids he does have.

i had this exact thought too! Meri says she ' loves to entertain'...... WHO?? THE Plethora of children coming and going? THEY certainly don't appear to have any friends. She didn't appear to be helpful watching Christine's youngest for her so she could study for her Real Estate exam so what is she talking about? entertaining.. it would really make more sense for ' these people' to buy an existing four-plex and move in and live quietly........ the whole concept really leaves me feeling a bit queasy..... one man..... 4 women lying in their beds waiting....... yuck.. brain-washed children being told /convinced ' this is a really good idea to live this way' ...... and yes what does Kody do to earn a living?

About Robin and her aversion to vaulted ceilings...As a poster said up-thread, "According to Robyn, just a few short years ago she was living in abject poverty in a trailer, and now she's turning up her nose at vaulted ceilings?!"

Yes, and I remembered we also were told she was in such abject poverty that her babies didn't even have a crib to sleep in !!

So it is truly amazing that getting *yet another house* all too herself in "less than two years"...this one brand new....complete with many bedrooms and faux office and two patios and sparkling kitchen and literally everything a mother could want for her children....she has to look sad and distressed because of vaulted ceilings !!! Who are these people !!?? "What* are these people !!??

The other issue they so obviously have, is that they have no real spirit of commitment to any of their projects. I feel sometimes like they have zero attention span. There's all this initial fervor for MSWC website but then they put up this half-assed site that they obviously see FROM DAY ONE, is not working. Why? Because they obviously put in minimal effort into the whole thing. Do they then get really serious about fixing what doesn't work? No, they continue to miss out on opportunities. And whine about how they need the income for the McMansions. I worked in retail management for over 20 years, what I see them doing with this site is laughable. And now I read on someone's post that they will add aprons, *sigh* Here's a free idea for you Brown's: You've got a daughter who wants to be a designer, well, let her design a t-shirt or two. Make it cool and not preachy, and unisex. Then sell it for 20 bucks, and don't charge 30 to ship it. I promise you'll get sales. It really is that easy. Oh yeah, and buy a server that can handle it for cirssake.

Newbie delurking here - I just finally watched both shows and have to comment!

LOVE this site - thank you for providing it.

Have to get this chest off my chest - Sobbin Robin - annunciation is your friend. His name is Dayton, not Dae-un. Drives me nuts when she says that!!!

First off - I own a clothing boutique and the first rule of retail is your conversion rate. If they really had 300 people there and 28 sales, that is almost 10%, which is actually pretty darn good for their first day/hour/whatever. Various stores have their own conversion rate they want to hit, I myself try to consistently hit 25%. So actually, they didn't really do to bad on sales (if those are the actual numbers). But something tells me they don't know what a conversion rate even is. And am I the only one who thought it was odd that all these people knew about the website starting up at a certain date and time? IDK - maybe I missed my direct mail ad from them, but I had no idea it was officially opening 6/29. (I guess maybe their FB and/or twitter - which I don't follow)?

Secondly - they are NOT building these houses. My DH owns a concrete construction business. This stuck out like a sore thumb to me. First off, did anybody se the permit box? A portapottie? You can't do any work without a permit box or get an inspection without a portapottie. Secondly, given that there is no basement, it's either a mono slab or a stem wall. Given that the lots are flat, there is no reason to do a stem wall (digging footers and laying block), which is what they were attempting to show. But here is the kicker - there was no layout! When we do a stem wall, it takes hours to prepare it before you can even think about digging - you need to spray the house blueprint out on the ground so the excavator can follow it. You need to have batter boards up with strings all over, and everything needs to be measured down to 1/8" to make sure it is squared in. It is literally impossible for them to show up and start blindly digging like they are showing. Even if they were doing a mono slab, they have to have batter boards up and the lot graded - again which was not done.

It was ALL for show and nothing else.

I won't even go into the timeline and how it is impossible for them to get those 4 houses built within 5 months. (I'm assuming from the timeline it's 5 months anyways).

Southern - there are now 4 houses on those lots. I saw them this past weekend. In fact, I saw them removing the two port-a-potties that the construction crew has apparently been using. I think your "It was ALL for show . . . " was correct as far as the actual breaking ground, though.

These places are all house and no land. Those kids will have to play out in the cul-de-sac. I would never buy a house that close to a main road. The upstairs bedrooms in one of the houses faces right out to the roadway, and they will be noisy. Very poor location for the amount of money that has been spent.

Sorry to disappoint you, but we drove by yesterday and the houses are finished. 4 identical houses, complete with landscaping and even window coverings. Ready to move in. We also drove by the rental houses but saw no evidence of any moving vans. Hmmm!!!

A developer friend of our built his house in 6 weeks, and it is a very nice well constructed house. It is amazing how fast you can build when you have everything in place. Where we live, with the decline in building and economic slow down that happened a few years ago, there are many companies that are desperate for work, and more supply than demand.

Here in California (my part of it anyway) basements (except in MUCH older houses) are rare indeed. My sister and her husband have owned 5 houses (not all at once, one after the other) since 1988, and only one had a (very small) basement - it was built in 1929.

And I've seen houses go up in less than 5 months. Happened all the time in the Bay Area during the housing boom. In fact the people who bought my sister's 4th home (a 1961 California Ranch on a .35 acre lot with a lovely huge backyard...dang i loved that house) tore down the old house about 3 months ago (bummer) and are now building a Mini-Mansion on the property, almost done actually. Fortunately they are keeping the backyard intact - the township is VERY strict on building codes and yard sizes so none of those McMansions with no yard whatsoever in that entire town. or sidewalks for that matter.

You can easily build a 4000 SF house in 5 months. But my point was this builder did 4 of them, (at least), at the same time. Unless each sub had around 20+ employees (some would need many more) to work on each house at the same time OR they hired multiples of the same subs - which is really hard to do - the quality just isn't going to be there. At the very least, it will be interesting to watch the building process.

Like I said before, I really hope they get these houses for their kids sake.

Whywhy WHY would you need four identical houses??? Meri has one kid, why not get a smaller model for her? Granted, if you've got a whole whack of kids, you'd need a bigger house, but why not tailor what you're building to what each family needs?

I'd just like to see one of them bring home a Brother Husband for dear Kloddy.

It's a subdivision. All going up at one time. I am sure they aren't lacking for workers. In the Midwest houses can go up in 3-4 months with basement. They are building basically the same house over and over. Slight variations to the plan so people have choices.

What I don't get is why they think the builder needs to do so much? They can do what they want to house later. Like French doors or patio. I admit ceiling fans are probably a good idea to already be wired at the time of purchase. It is stressful having a home built. I don't think the subdivision has a smaller model for Meri? What if there is a fifth on the horizon? Did they buy an extra house?

For all their blah blah blahing about "this is the family I have always wanted...I wouldn't want anything else..." I would like to ask them one question. I'd start with Janelle, since she appears to be the smartest.

Janelle, if Kody came to you today and said, let's ditch the other 3 wives. Let's start over, just you & me & our children, all together, all the time. No more wet bars, French doors, arguing over who gets what, etc.

I think Janelle might be the only wife to not want Kody all to herself. Kody seems like he bugs her and I don't hear her complaining about not seeing him more. Meri would jump on the chance to have Kody all to herself. Christine and Robyn I am not so sure about, they both seem to be into the sister wife thing, they just don't get along all that great with each other. Now, if they could do it again and start over, I don't know that any of them except Robyn would marry Kody again. I think Meri would want monogamy, she doesn't seem cut out to share her "lover". Although I bet she would marry Kody again in a heartbeat if she could have him to herself. I think Janelle might choose polygamy, but wouldn't choose to marry anyone married to Meri as wife number one. Christine would probably pick polygamy too, but to a stronger man, more like Joe Darger and would still be a third and hopefully last wife. Robyn said in the book that she knew she was damaged goods as a divorcee and couldn't expect to be a first wife, but didn't expect to marry a man with 3 wives already. I think she only agreed to marry Kody because of the t.v. show, and it is doubtful she will stay long once the show is over. I think she thought the show was her ticket out of poverty and that the family was going to accept her much more than they have. So I think Robyn would marry Kody again, but if he takes a fifth wife she will be furious.

"Kody says something that's really puzzling. He said that Mona the real estate lady reminded him that they still need to maintain the little good credit they have, and continue to clean up their crappy credit " as [they] move forward for the final purchase."

Say WHUT???? Did Kody just say move forward for the FINAL PURCHASE? I thought those McMansions were a done deal!"

It's really not puzzling at all. This has been irking me whenever I see it posted. I've purchased and constructed two brand new homes in the last five years and that's pretty much part for the course. You put in a contract to start construction and pick your options- the sale isn't final until the house is complete. Let's say for some reason at the last minute your financing fell through both you and the builder would walk away from the deal and you'd just lose your deposit. That's why builders have "quick move in" homes in their inventory list so frequently- they're usually homes that didn't make the final sale.

Yep, exactly. There is lots of BS on this show, but the financing/purchasing of the houses doesn't seem fishy to me at all. Now granted, I live in Canada, but I've had the same experience as Anon 11:41. You put down a downpayment, and choose your options etc, but you don't actually BUY the house until it has been built, inspected, approved by the city, and a whole lot of other hoops have been jumped through. You can back out and get your donwpayment back for a number of reasons. Also, in some cases (in our area) another person can come in and offer on the property as well.

We bought a house this way. Someone else had picked everything out and the house was about 1/2 done.

So, as I was driving to work this morning I realized something...Kody and Crew are trying to be the family from Big Love. It makes perfect sense, Kody and Crew want to own their own business, they all want their own "nice" houses next door to each other. And now that they are showing the kids he probably expects the kids to be goodie-goodie like the kids in Big Love (at least how they were goodie-goodie in the beginning). You have the first wife who thinks she runs the show and the "young", "hot" last wife. I am now going back to rewatch Big Love and see what other similarities there are. Just remembered the ending of Big Love...

yeah and I'm waiting to see how much of the promo spot will turn out not to be what it seems, or cut out altogether, in the upcoming episode.

I'm referring to where Kody and the docent seem to be indicating that the Browns are not going to be allowed inside the home or temple or whatever it is "because we're plygs". my guess is that the guy will say that *initially* the director had second thoughts BUT...they will be allowed in anyway. Or that the issue wasn't that they were plygs, but because they didn't want video cameras inside...waiting...

I have a feeling that's exactly what the producers want, for this to be a re-creation of the Big Love trek for ratings. And yes, Bill did have an argument with the Carthage Jail curator over the number of widows Joseph Smith left when he was killed. Only I think this is just like the Darger Disneyland brouhaha, and like DJ said, that it probably will boil down to the cameras and not necessarily that they are plygs.

Agree. it won't be about their plyg status. This segement has already been filmed and likely has been edited and re-edited to fit.But of course the trailers leading right up to airtime will suggest that they are being penalized for their "beliefs." As usual.

I'm sure that the Browns are FAR from the very first plyg family to do the Nauvoo Mormon Tour. They're just the first ones that brought along a whole camera crew and of course Kody LOUDLY announcing "We're PLYGS!!!" as if the entire Mormon community (that's including LDS and non-LDS) wasn't already PAINFULLY aware of who the Kody Krew is and what they look like. Ha!

What bothers me the most about this family is their lack of a Christ-centered focus. Since this “lifestyle” is based on biblical principles, I would expect to see religion in their daily lives. I’ve never seen them pray about whether Mary should have another baby, or for the safety of their kids going on a trip or if they should put the dog down. These people are hypocrites. I can see why Kody does it – center of these women’s lives, sex with four different women, populating the world, etc. But what’s in it for the ladies?

And, why I’m getting this off my chest… I think Kody needs to step up and lead this family. As the priesthood holder needs to tell each of them how it’s going to be. I think he gets off on sitting back and watching his wives fight. But, instead he sits back and lets each wife fight for what she wants. I could call out Mary as the most selfish, but I don’t think that’s fair. The other ladies let her get away with it – and mostly Kody let’s her get away with it. They continue to feed the monster and she keeps getting bigger. They all play a role in this dysfunctional family.

I have wondered if they don't show alot of their praying and such because they don't want to alienate viewers with to much god talk. Do the Duggers show alot of praying? They have had a few episodes where they show their family church It's mentioned just not the main focus.

I just assumed that it was a background piece to them because they aren't try trying to advertise for their religion which is a whole giant subject all its own, but to justify the lifestyle. Also I am not so much religious but while I think Id be ok saying "I am Mormon/Catholic/Jewish/baptist" to someone I don't think I'd want someone watching me in a church setting. But I also wouldn't put my family on tv because I like my privacy.

I'd like them to hang out with non mormon plygs. The kind who absolutely DO get weird..which to me seems like the best set up anyway because then its one relationship instead of 4 separate ones...I just think the hippie free love style would promote less jealousy.

Blah blah blah I went on a side tangent there. Anyway hey could get very into the religion talk next episode on the trip and my whole "They do it to keep stuff neutral for viewers" theory could go straight out the window.

Most families who adhere to the book of Mormon do this trip, usually ending up in NY where the angel appeared to Joseph Smith. He was killed in il by a mob. Funny Emma, his wife didn't go to Utah. Yet another splinter group but this one never took on polygamy. They aren't doing it cause they saw it on TV.

That's right. They are doing it because they are ON TV. If they weren't, they'd be too busy scamming Utah's social services agencies to have the time for back-trekking the paths of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith. Also, the praying and spiritual stuff? They don't actually believe any of it. Remember when Grody's brothers were in town? They had no problem AT ALL showing their little home preachin' session. And Grody's plyg brother was much better at it. When the extended family isn't around? It all goes flying out the window.I could respect these folks, and their choices, if they weren't such a narcissistic clan of half-realized, hair-brained nonsense-spewing, delusional excuses for parents and spouses, and had respect for the American public. They show they have none every time they unwind their delusions into a tv camera and expect the people watching to believe any of it. Okay, rant over.

On facebook mysisterwives closet just announced the apron is for sale now. I went to the store and guess what? No apron! LOL we all NEED an apron right? Again Robyn... tshirts, bracelets, fun stuff.. How bout those rubber bracelets? An ornament, an apron, what are we 80?

Hey another thing, please help us give Meri a break and unless you need to communicate about your order please don't send any more emails to Contact Us for now. She is SO busy getting orders out and she tries to read everything that comes in in case it has something to do with an order. Thanks everyone!

This is so funny to me! C'mon people stop making Meri work so damn hard!

I'm sure the majority of the e-mails they receive are involving the same repeated questions such as ,

"are you going to design any pretty pieces of jewelry?" "when are the prices going to come down?" "your COMING SOON for clothing and accessories has been up for more than 6 months now. When exactly is COMING SOON?" "is Robyn pregnant? if so, is the baby yours?" "why have you gained so much weight?" "have you taught Mariah the importance of being First Wife in her future plyg marriage?" "why are you so cold-hearted?" "do any of the teens ever come hang at your place or ask you for advice?" "do any of you sister wives talk to each other or get together other than when you're filming?" "are you planning to fix the chaos and unhappiness of the family now by adding a 5th wife?" "when is the whole family planning on returning to Lehi?" ad nauseam.

Meri commented that she should get as much as the other wives because she works the same amount. So I'm wondering why then when Janelle was the only one working full-time, were her resources split? Shouldn't her salary have gone to supporting all of her kids and Meri should have only gotten a small portion of that for only 2 people? I guess the rules change to suit Meri's wants.

I felt very sorry Christine. No one, I mean NO ONE, helps her at all. Isnt that what it's supposed to be about? Working together, helping each other? Meri, Janelle, Robyn, and especially Kody should be embarrassed by the scenes where she admits she only gets a few minutes a day to study because of the baby. Why isn't Kody supporting her in this? Why isn't he THERE??? That was just pitiful. I'm glad she called them on it at the couch session and they had nothing to say for themselves, I noticed.

Not one of them had a thing to say to Christine - empathetically or an apology - ZERO! Meri was sure staring her down the whole time tho knowing full well that Christine was talking mostly about HER! and rightfully so. I'm sure the escapee plyg kids that they put their dog and pony show on for the week before were just howling w/laughter at all the hypocrisy that came out in these two episodes! AGAIN.

I'm glad someone brought this up. The commercials for this week repeatedly teased us with clips of Christine confronting Kody. I thought FINALLY we are going to talk about the real problems with the way these people are living and how the wives' pretty differences, i.e, sharing a kitchen is "abusive" and Kody's need for attention (being on this show which resulted in them moving to Vegas) has resulted in the wives essentially being single moms. But instead of addressing such a hard hitting topic, the producers just gloss over it by sticking the couch segment literally in the LAST minute of the show then immediately cutting to next week's plotline. WTF? I guess the producers are just as content to ignore the Browns' real problems as the Browns are. Oh well, seriously missed opportunity for some real discussion. I guess it was more important to watch them bury their dog.

When Meri said she works as hard as any one else (or something like that) could she have meant keeping up the TLC charade of a happy plg family? In the Lehi house she said she usually cooked for herself and Mariah eat with Christine. Perhaps, just perhaps, she cooked something with less calories than Peanut butter fritos. Now it looks as though she is eating out at restaurants (especially on road trips and Disneyland trips) exclusively. Possible reason for weight gain. Also she is so depressed by Kody's attention to Robyn that she could be overeating.I think she suffers from low self esteem as much as Janelle and Christine. The main reason for the whole multiple wives thing is to have as many children as possible.She's seething (and scared)that the lesser wives (in her eyes) met this goal, and she deals with it by being mean and nasty. I know infertility is heartbreaking when you really want to have a baby, but add that it determines your familial worth and value. She probably is in,or approaching, menopause and KNOWS her chances of conceiving a child naturally are slim to none. Kody basically put her out to pasture by saying I will have more children. Adding insult to injury the youngest wife brings this to the forefront by offering to help poor old Meri. I am in no way a Meri fan mostly because of the way she has bullied and demeaned Janelle and Christine, but her wetbar and french door demands seem sad and pathetic.Alrighty then, back to cross stitching my Grandchildren's santa stockings.

So they move, buy four new houses, an launch a jewelry line that is overpriced??? Hmmmm, then have the NERVE to say "we have kids to send to college!" Welllllp in the words of my precious grandmother, "it sounds like a personal problem to me". Hey Brown family, let's get those priorities in order please.

I really don't think there should be such a concern about the house payments or the Brown's future. They have to show how they struggle to create drama for TV - for us to see that they fight/work "hard" for what they have.

Sister Wife's has done 4 seasons and at least at the beginning the were doing really good audience wise. As our curiosity grew bigger so did the numer of SW seasons, book, publicity and TV appearances - which from what little I know about reality TV, it pays pretty darn good (Kardashian's got 15 mil. to renew just 1 season and those are not so popular anymore either). Plus, they collect royalties for everything that moves with their name/faces on it.

The houses might already be paid off, because given their financial history nobody will approve a loan for that much... It's not my business and shouldn't even care... it's just that everybody is pointing this.

The Browns are no where near the hype value of a Kardashian. They did not go on a typical book tour (except when they went to NY to advertise last season and their book). This season they went to Chicago for the Steve Harvey show (that ran AFTER the 11/18 premiere date), Los Angeles for Access Hollywood Live (which was not telecast in all markets). They did do a local sports radio show in Las Vegas - which doesn't help if someone lives in Honolulu. If anything, the Browns seem to be hiding their heads in the sand, or at Disneyland.

What royalties??? If you want to look at a hard working reality star, take a look at Teresa Giudice. Or better yet, Bethenny Frankel!! Compared to those two ladies, the Browns are not even bush league. Kody Brown on Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump? Doubtful.

By the way, Alex McCord has said she only pulled in about $300K her last season on RHONY and that's on Bravo - a top rated cable station. NeNe Leakes - another hardworking reality star, was quoted as pulling in $750K last year on RHOAtl. The Browns' show is on a third rate cable channel, with ratings no where near the Real Housewives franchises.

I would be very surprised if the Browns are pulling in $300K a season, most likely much lower.

If you are right and they (and us) "suffered" so much exposure for about 60k/pers. then they really are in trouble. That is not enough to feed 17 + 5 people! Still, who's encouraging their shopping spree? No backup? No plan B? I knew that they were far from the Kardashian clan, but was thinking somewhere around 1/4 of what they make... wishful thinking, I guess. On a different note, the Duggars (19 and counting) were always showing how much they spend for groceries and how the responsibilities are shared among family members, etc. We've never seen this type of household management on the Brown's.

Heaven forbid the Browns wear second hand clothes and shoes, and buy second hand furniture, and buy food in bulk (and then divy it out amongst the 4 houses) like the Duggars. The Duggars area always explaining HOW they are able to financially provide for all of their children and NOT have ANY debt. The Duggars work hard, i.e., building their own large house, working on their rental properties, used car lots, emts/first responders/firefighters. We see them working. Do we ever see the Browns working? I think not. As for household management - the Duggars are also explaining about their buddy system works and who does what chores ("jurisdictions"). It is all explained on their show and on their website. All the Browns have to do is google it. But maybe that is too much work too...

And we have theorized over this MANY times. How much the Browns actually make...Again I believe it is written into the participants' contracts that the amount they get paid must be kept a secret. I think they do that purposely, to keep the illusion of "reality" and also knowing that speculation = publicity.

Also I think that the Browns were more than likely using their newfound income from TLC to obtain additional credit, because as LIP said I do not believe $300k is sufficient to provide for the entire family after they moved to LV, where the cost of living is greater.

This might put in perspective how much the Browns are probably making. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/honey-boo-boo-salary_n_1919841.htmlHoney BooBoo, who probably has better ratings than SW, is only pulling $2-$4K an episode. Definitely not enough for a McMansion. The Browns could take some tips from the Thompsons on living within their means.

That website...everytime I check it out I am astounded. It would have been SOO much smarter to do what they claimed they would do in the beginning. Have it be stuff you would borrow from their closets each with their individual tastes. For example. Christine likes sparkles and Meri likes flowers, Robin likes Turquoise and Janelle likes pieces with triangles on them. Instead they decided to brand name hem. Put SW on everything. Make nesting rings which you know..I actually love the idea of...but why with the hugging worms? The price point should have been under 20 bucks..with the higher end peices being around 40..just to start. After they proved they had taste(If any of them do I am not that current with clothes and Jewelry...I admit it. I have no idea!) they could make their non discount jewelry.

Its far better to sell 20 5 dollar items than 1 75 dollar charm.

Also yes the dog dying thing was horrid to me. He was laying there smiling with his dog smile. If the dog was so so so so sick show me. I mean I don't want to see a sick dog but I have had to put down a dog after swearing I never would who was making honking strained breathing sounds for two days before I decided it wasn't going to stop no matter how much I let her rest and brought her water and it was terrible. I didn't dig a grave while she was alive. I spent time with her during the time when I thought it would be a possibility. I would rather have seen that dog be sick and felt that there was actually justification for that big decision beyond "well you peed on the carpet...it's curtains for you" Maybe he really was not doing well, but I didn't see that. As someone who is one of those crazy dog people...you know the kind...this was uncomfortable for me.

Dogs are very stoic, but dog lovers know when their beloved dog is nearing the end. They don't want to eat anymore and they usually want to go outside. In this segment, I so agree it shouldn't have been shown. Kody should have had the Vegas Vet look at their pup. If he was having hip dysplaysa the first thing should have been to put the dog on a diet. With so many children, that might have been hard to do possibly because kids do drop food on the floor. There are also medications for pain and incontinence problems. I just feel they decided in a minute and that was it. I absolutely lost all respectfor Meri and Kody at that time.

Their entire relationship went from happiness to failure as most realityshows. Janelle always worked before they moved, and I believe Meri went back to school...but now...the show isn't the same. They should have had one big house as they did before. They're not experiencing reallife, and they don't understand this show will soon end. Wasn't this show about how a plyg family can be happy? None of the HW's are happyexcept for perhaps Robyn. I'm sure TLC is waiting for one or two of them to leave.

Instead of jewelry designing, why didn't they do what the Dargers did;open their own cleaning service? Open up a thrift shop? They wouldn't have had to lay out any money. I feel they shouldn't have had a jewelry line at all. It was a ridiculous idea especially designing things with SW or Irish jewelry. They're cutting out a lot of customersthat wouldn't buy things as religious items. I really hope Janelle andChristine save their monies so they can leave with their kids. Kody loves Kody and the cameras. I feel badly for them. They need a professional adviser.

If there was another reason, a more dramatic illness that dog had, it would have been exploited to produce more drama for the show. They are such sick human beings. I never would dig my dog a grave when it is running around in the yard and wagging it's tail. It was disgusting.

There are repeated calls for Christine and Janelle to "get out", but my question is get out of what? As far as I can tell they have no legal ties anywhere to the Scumbucketbrown other than he is the bio father of their kiddos. They are both single Moms, they both handle their own household bills, they both handle all of the parenting necessary and there is no legal tie to Kody in the form of marriage and I am quite sure there is no legal support arrangement with the children. If you want to be cynical you can look at it like this, they get big honking new houses, they get paid vacations they would never get to take any other way than by the show, they only have to have the scumbucket over 1 night every four, and I'm sure he does not share a bed much less stay the entire night. Yes he treats them like crap, Yes, he's beyond awful to them and he does not even qualify for a fathers day card but really, what legal ties do they have at this point? (Maybe CPACarol can help me out?)

Don't jump on me too quickly, I'm not advocating that the situation is good or that they are in a "good place", I am suggesting that it is a choice that they are making that they can walk away from with no legal ramifications and if they are smart about it if they do get the houses a bit of equity in their pockets.

Another thing I've noticed, it's not Robyn that Kody has the PDA with, it's Meri, even on the couch when all of them are together his hand is always on her leg, they are always touching somehow no matter where they are at and who they are with, not a huge in your face thing, but it's there, and a power play on Meri's part that's for sure.

No, I agree, even though there are no legal marriage ties, it would be hard to leave. Look at Christine's choices:1-Try to make it by herself: file for child support-- would be paperwork nightmare, esp if Kody's name is not on birth certificate and take time to get money--and she would have to turn to social workers, ect for help. At best, she would end up back on food stamps, living in the projects in Vegas with her 6 kids. She has no skills, even if she could get on nightshift at a factory an $8 or $9/hr job with no benefits won't go far. She would have to rely on Aspyn and Mykelti to watch kids. Plus, they have to leave neighborhood and schools.2-Go back to AUB and get reassigned to new husband. OK, she's not the young hot thing and she has 6 kids. Not alot of AUB men with empty houses--so she ends up shacking up getting one room in a basement of an overflowing plyg house or in a run down double wide. Plus, she ends up married to a gross old man with sisterwives who hate and resent her (she might know how that feels).3-Stay with Kody. There is no traumatic "divorce" on the kids, they keep connections with the Kody and half siblings. She is getting a house, may not have it very long but will be the nicest place she has ever lived. Kids are pretty well adjusted, stay in same school, and she gets to remain SAHM (the admin job will be part-time). She doesn't have to have sex with Kody anymore. She could refuse to let him sleep in her bed. She wants him to drop by to see kids, maybe watch them occasionally, so she can get something done. That is the best her life is going to be for years. No easy way out of polygamy. And I didn't even mention religion.

Christine won't even have Social Security. You have to pay into the system to collect from it. She's barely worked at any paying jobs. One has to be legally married for at least 10 years to get any portion of the husband's Social Security. Yep, she's SOL (and I don't mean baby Sol!)

Berry - that's what i think people keep forgetting here since most have never experienced the amount of indoctrination these people have been in since childhood. (even Kody and Janelle in their childhood mainstream mormonism.) Religious indoctrination of these beliefs is a true mindf**k to deprogram from and most generally requires professional help as well as a lot of work and time to overcome it all. Especially when you became so invested in it like these people. That's why the younger the better - like Kollene and those other kids getting out before marriages and babies added to it all.

Anyway - yes, these women STILL have the belief system required to live polygamy and are just "enduring to the end" as also taught for the most part. It's supposedly supposed to all be worth it when they're queens and priestesses w/Kody on their own planet for eternity.

Just imagine if Christine decides she wants to leave. How does she get away? She has a checking account now, but who puts money in it? I think the $5,000 down payment wasn't just sitting in Christine's account, it was transferred just for the show. I think she is on a tight budget, controlled by Kody.

So she tells Kody she is leaving him and filing for child support. She will no longer get money in her checking account. Rent, utilities will be due, ect. Each sister wife will visit and tell her how stupid she is, say she just needs time with Kody, ect.

Does she tell her kids they can't go over to Meri's or Janelle's house? The older kids will know what is happening. Some women can put their kids in a car and go to their mom's house or sisters while they start divorce proceedings (which I realize she doesn't need but does need court order to get child support.) I don't think Christine has anyone to give her that kind of support.

BRAVO~! Late to the party here, but i just have to say a sentimental something. Cynical Jinx and I really didn't know what we were doing, just wanted a free range place to talk when this blog started. But I have to say the way we have all grown, and the "journey" is wonderful. Every time there's a review, I tell CJ she has outdone herself, but, each time she does! I am proud of my partner here on the blog, and just want to say, once again, BRAVO!!!!

I feel so much more is to come from our little blog.

This show has less to do, IMO about polygamy, than it does seeing a family that needs to back out and regroup, and has totally lost their path not only spiritually but with each other. Too greedy to even stop and repair. What once was a path to show the world their beliefs has been reduced to 3 choices of granite?

Quit trying to sell us something, and go get JOBS or, Meri, that education you so wanted. Do they realize what they are doing to themselves? Does Christine realize Kody has (if he had any) totally lost any credibility to become what I am sure, is a real prophet like her forefathers? Does he even know what day it is?

The only thing I am sure of Kody Brown does know on a daily basis is where his rogaine and the closest mirror is. Oh, and where his car is.

Pretty soon their website will have CLEARANCE prices, and even so they will have a hard time selling that crap. I double checked their website and there is only one piece that in my opinion is kind of decent. I can't believe they had the chance and money to invest in something that could help them and they invested in something totally stupid. Invest in something that will generate profits, do it soon before TLC cancels the show.

Oh my gosh.....so much to say about these episodes! Okay, Kody was no where to be seen while Christine was trying to study for her exam but he is ALL OVER Mykelti's fashion design experience! REALLY???? Poor Mykelti! Somehow her chance to have a design experience was all about her dad. Kody said they didn't go on the actual photo shoot because they would have just been in the way. UHHHH.....maybe YOU and the TLC cameras would have been in the way but I think Mykelti would have been just fine. Does he not even stop to think about what's best for his daughter????

I love this blog but would love it more if there was a 'like' button. I really don't ever have to comment because everyone else says it much better than I could ever put into words.

I am impressed at the intelligence of the people who post. Also, I think it's pretty awesome that people can agree to disagree. Either you never have trolls or you delete them before we see their posts.

I also have one request... could you please change your background cover? Last night my husband asked; "What is that green page you are always reading?" I tried to explain it to him and all he said was "I think you're addicted". He's probably right!

Television Without Pity. If you google it, you'll find the link for it is the first thing that comes up. ;') This forum is much better than TWoP because it's heavily censored as to what you can't say over there. kinda boring and ridiculous really. PLUS i find WAAAAY more info here.

I have a feeling that any check that Christine gets on her own from now on is not going to be shared among her sister wives, she is keeping her future paychecks from being a realtor to herself. No way do I see her paying a bill Robyn owes from back in the day, no way. I have hopes that Janelle is secretly hoarding some of her money and not putting it in the family pot, but I definitely see Christine hiding her money from the family.

There are many new home communities in Vegas that are almost 3.,000 square feet and cost 200-300K. Think these homes cost almost 500K without many options.

I don't blame Robyn for not wanting wasted vertical space and wanting a bedroom instead. Remember she wants to have as many as possible. I see her and Kody going the medical route for a long time after her eggs are done.

I think TLC is settling merri up to be the Kate Gosselin. At first she was depicted as an angel.

I don't think TLC has to set anyone up to be the new Kate Gosselin. Kate's and Meri's real personalities could not be hidden for more than the first year of their series. People of quality maintain that facet of their personality through good and bad. People who have no class can't hide it.

Their kids are far too young to be that heavy. It will only get worse girls...start young with good habits!! The parents have more than enough time on their hands, get a healthy cookbook and go to town already since money is not a problem right now. It seems these people invest more into material gods than their own health and relationships.

Without reading the other comments I agree, Kody digging the grave was pathetic. He was trying to be all dramatic while Meri stands in the back ground thinking (imo) "Suck it up and dig Kody, that dog is pissing on my carpet!)

Just my take.

If they were so concerned about their aged dog why didn't them have him in the vet for treatment for his aching hips ages ago? Me thinks when dog got incontinent Meri was determined it was his time to GO.

I noticed that too. It feels like he gets the most camera time out of all the kids. Kinda annoying to me that Kody spends so much more time with that baby then any of his other kids. I would bet he spends more time with Sol then Christine!

Did Some Research and since we all are anxious about if TLC will pull this show or if we will continue to be able to watch the train wreck here are the ratings numbers I found. (came from the futoncritic who pulled from nielsen)

This is the Dargers Special--My Three Wives - TLC0.865 million viewers, #14; 0.463 million adults 18-49 (0.4 rating), #13

and to compare when Sister Wives first aired it pulled in 2.26 million viewers for the first show and going up to 2.67 million viewers and 2.74 for the final for the first season.

So while the audience has def. dwindled they still do have viewers. Which makes me wonder if there is some drama on the Brown side ??? The editing/quality of the shows continue to decrease over time, I suspect it's because the Browns refuse unlimited access or are making demands like pimping all of their scams the green goo/jewerly etc. It sounds like if Sister Wives does end, it's most likely because the Browns are too demanding to deal with.

I could be wrong, but I thought Mykelti's lack of enusiam with the desinger was because Mykelti thought she would be meeting some big designer like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Jimmy Choo, or at the very least she thought she had been invited to visit a big design firm. Consider the Kody Brown thought process. He thinks they are really important celebs. I'm sure he's told the kids that they are VIP,too. Who knows? Kody probably really bragged it up to her.

Designers are a dime a dozen. I have a friend who calls herself a designer just because she went to the The Art Institute of Philadelphia. That's fine. She can call herself the Virgin Mary, if she choses. In reality, my friend is woman who copies designs and whips them up on her sewing machine. She's my friend, though. I love her, but she's never designed anything. Let me put it in another context. Imagine you are a kid again. Your parents are telling you that you are going to go to Paris. Wow!!! How exciting!!! And then, you find out that they are taking you to Paris, TX (which I'm sure has it's perks) when all along, you thought you were going to Paris, France. That would be a bummer!!!

Meri, Janelle or Christine should go to TLC and ask for their own show about one of them cutting ties and starting out on their own. I bet it will happen. Janelle is probably back to the gym getting prepared for the single life... If the sisterwives could have stayed on a fitness plan they could have made a fortune. Maybe they should write a cookbook... someone is cooking up a storm...

I have often wondered why they haven't reshot the opening scenes and its finally occurred to me. Meri was at her lowest weight and I bet she has refused to let them reshoot! She is very controlling so I can totally see her controlling this.

I did feel for Christine in this episode. It seems like Christine's rental is falling apart. I noticed last week that around the front door it looks like there is damage. I also noticed in this episode how stained the carpets are, etc.. It seemed that her hands were not only full, but heaping and overflowing, with Kody no where around. I wonder sometimes if this is why Meri wants her own home, etc.. So that she doesn't have to deal with the clutter, and chaos the larger families bring to the table. I understand that a lot of people feel that Christine could leave and such. I guess it just seems that she is very depressed, and has zero self esteem. Has anyone else noticed the little comments she has made here and there about always failing and such? I also noticed that no one felt she would pass....no one. If I ever question my ability to create a very intricate wedding cake, my husband is right there with me saying "you can do anything". I can't fathom how it must feel to have a "partner" and not only have zero support from them, but to see them supporting another wife (i.e. Robyn and her MSWC venture) when in reality, the chance to make a large chunk of profit would be in the sale of a home if Christine can get the right mentor and get in with the right people, vs the sale of some very overpriced, cartoon created jewelry.

Bakergirl OK,I agree with you on the lack of support that Christine gets from the baby daddy or the sisterwives. My husband cheered me through graduate school; he has cheered me through every venture in my life. I cannot imagine my life without him or his support. To see these women living with a man (albeit partime) who not only fails to support them but also expects them to fail just breaks my heart.

How does Meri sleep at night, knowing that because the family budget is divided equally among the four wives, her portion is effectively taking away from the wives that have more children to feed and clothe? And how can she sit there and pout about french doors and that &^$()#@ wet bar, while across the table from her, Janelle is trying to cut every corner she can on her own house because she knows full well they can't afford extras?

And one more thing...Robyn's speech at the beginning of every show - "We SHOULDA all been together from Day One" makes me cringe every single time. It's as bad as not knowing how to pronounce your own son's made-up name.

I for one, felt for Janelle when her ex-trainer felt the need to tell her in front of national television, that she is the one who mostly needs to workout..I don't feel that was fair..you can tell this deeply hurt her.It's no wonder she emotionally eats..but I hope her new trainer will not only help her lose weight, but get her self esteem back..then she will want change in other aspects of her life. On another note, I know this has been mentioned numerous times, but I really think Robin is prego...here lately, she has been pulling at her clothes..trying to cover, and tlc is hardly showing her bottom half, unless she is holding Sol, who is giving her belly some cover.

But Janelle ALLOWED that to be filmed and aired. That's why I have a hard time feeling sorry for her, although God knows, I can totally sympathize having been VERY close to her weight at one point.

I think Robyn was pulling at her clothes because she's got some pudge now. As has been pointed out MANY times, if she was PG when these eps were originally filmed (first half of 2012) then she would be WAY out by now. She's just fat, not pg.

Trying to estimate their earnings, if the groupis pd $25,000 per epi divided by 5 equals $5000a head x 10 epis a season =$50,000 a season x two seasons = $100,000 est a yr. or about $8300a month. Mortgage a good $3000 to $4000 a month,utilities and the balance for food!We all know they'll go hog wild for furniture and window dressings. One sweet deal!!

Bear in mind that pretty much everything they earn is probably paid to their family corporation, so all of their housing, transportation, expenses to produce their tacky jewelry, etc., is all deductible. Technically, they are running a major financial loss each year. No "income" - only losses to report. So they also get back at the end of the year ANY taxes which might have been withheld. Plus, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn (as "single mothers") qualify as Head of Household and get HUGE refunds - more than they ever paid in. Then we get into the "Earned Income Credit."

It's sad to think that some people will take advantage of the system ("us") so unashamedly.

Off topic, but The Brown Family does indeed have an agent for their speaking engagements! I had to dig for it (following a name from the Brown website). She's an agent in LV, only 5 clients including the Browns and her Facebook page has just 32 Likes (it was started in August 2012). I think it's safe to say that they're not commanding the big bucks for their Licensing Appearances Spokesperson Opportunities Private Events Private Dinners Poduct Endorsement Meet & Greets (what they're available to do according to the website).

Here's the link to the agent's website: http://www.agelv.com/#!clients/c1h6a

I think out of the 4 of them, Christine would have the most difficult time leaving Kody. She hasnt had a job in forever, she's so naive, too many kids to raise on her own. And plus, her whole background is to "the religion." I feel sorry for her because you can tell she wants to be good at something. I think she's tired failing at everything. I was rooting for her to pass the real estate exam. Even if she doesnt do anything with it, it probably made her feel so good to pass. She has a endearing personality, and she seems to be a warm person. I actually think she would be a nice friend to have.

I was just watching the episode in season 2 where they go to a cabin in the snowy mountains for christmas. There is a whole discussion there about the wives sharing a kitchen. I found it quite interesting now that we've had the "kitchengate" episode last week.

Here is the episode on youtube (around minute 9:00): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7BD8xXR-sI&list=PLdF8MtKm1w6WoDkfqvseUv4jMERcCjEae

The next episode- a road trip in RV's- very Kate + 8 which was a disaster... If I had the money i would pay for Christine and Janelle to have gastric bypass and then finance their freedom. Let mean, vindictive Meri and Robyn who I feel kind of sorry for have Kody free and clear. Christine- you are adorable- and Janelle- you are beautiful and smart- move on.

I believe Janelle checked out way back when no one went with her "gym idea" She just seems so disconnected. I recently watched the christmas episode. They seem so much happier then...the sister wives are in the kitchen preparing dinner...except Janelle...but she is still smiling..yes..I saw them cooking together..guess they forgot about doing that "together"

Love this blog! I was rewatching the "mourning the loss" episode and noticed that when the kids went to Meri's to get the news about drake, only Robin's daughter ran to hug Kody. His own kids don't seem to notice his presence. Love your reviews!

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